Carton filler



y 9, 1956 A. s. ROSE 2,747,348

CARTON FILLER Filed Nov. 19, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

Allen 5. 1205 4/: Arroeue/ A. S. ROSE CARTON FILLER May 29, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 19. 1951 NVENTOR. A Zlen 5. Rose iii 2. J's 6mm ,4/5 erroeuefl A. S. ROSE CARTON FILLER May 29, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 19, 1951 ON r N AQ Emw

INVENTOR. Allen 5. Q05e X? f/ /-//5 47'7'OQA/)./

A. s. ROSE CARTON FILLER May 29, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 19, 1951 INVENTOR. A Z Zen 5. Rose ///5 ATTOZA/EL A. S. ROSE CARTON FILLER May 29, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. l9 1951 Allen szos BY y 9, 1956 A. 5. Ross 2,747,348

CARTON FILLER Filed Nov. 19. 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 229 22s wa 229L ng gees 75 134 H 229 INVEN TOR.

Allen 5. Rose 4/5 47'7'OBA/EK United States l atent CARTON FILLER Allen S. Rose,-San;lose, Calif.

Application November 19, 1951, Serial No. 257,057

8Claims. (Cl. 53-63) The present invention relates to carton filling mechanism, and pertains more particularly to apparatus for feeding and erecting cartons and for feeding and inserting predetermined charges of cans in the cartons.

In the merchandising of canned products, it is recog nized that if several cans of a product are available in a convenient package or carton, customers willfrequently buy entire cartons rather than a lesser number of individual cans.

Such packaging stimulates sales of the product, while the ease and convenience of handling the product when packed in cartons, theadded protection provided for the merchandise, and the availability of the sides of the carton for displaying advertising matter pertaining to the product, are-additional advantages gained by thus packaging the cans.

A'well known type of can containing-carton comprises a rectangular tubular cardboard member with open ends and adapted to receive a plurality of chime ended cans in closely fitted relation therein. The tubular member is provided with rounded flanges or cars on each end of its top and bottom portions, and these ears are tuckedinto thecarton prior to the insertionof the cans and act as pawlflike retaining latches to fit into the chimes of the outermost cans, and thereby retain the cans in the carton.

The presentinvention contemplates the provision of a machine for packing filled cans into cartons. -T he invention also has for an object, the feeding and erecting of cartons, and the filling of the cartons with cans. The invention also is-intended-to facilitate the rapid and-accurate insertion ofpredetermined charges of cans into open end, tubular cartons, and has for a further object to provide improved facilities for rapidly handling and filling can cartons of the open end, tubular, chime-latch type.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, taken from the left side near the rear end of a machine embodying the invention, portions being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of therear portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, portions being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the forward or discharge portion of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the machine, the upper portion 'of the magazine and a centralportion of the machine being broken away.

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views of the carton employed, showing it in successive stages from its initial, flat-folded condition, to itsfinal erected and filled condition.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional viewtaken'along line 9-9 of Fig. 4, showing, in

solid lines, the suction cup carton feeding "head in its lowered, 'or carton-withdrawing position, and in dotted lines," in its upwardgor carton-engaging"position.

Fig. 10 is a similarly enlarged frontelevational -view ice 2 of the machine taken alongline 10-10 of Fig. 4, portions being broken ,away.

Fig. 11 is a further enlarged sectional view somewhat similar to the upper right-handportion of Fig. 9, but showing the suction cup, carton-feedinghead sectionally in solid lines in upraised, carton engaging position, and in dotted lines in lowered, carton-releasing position.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional, somewhat diagrammatic .view showing the left hand can inserting mechanism as shown in Fig. 10, with the pneumatic cylinders contracted to drive a charge .ofcans into the carton, portions being'broken away.

Fig. 13 is a View, similar to Fig. 12, but showing the pneumatic cylinders extended to receive a charge of cans for inserting into a carton upon the next retractive stroke of the pneumatic cylinders.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view takenalong line '14-14 ofrFig. 10.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the left hand side of the carton inserting head as viewed in Fig. 10, showing the can inserting carriage in its normal, outward, can-receiving condition.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing-the carriage in solid lines in its fully inward position at the end of its can-inserting stroke, wherein ,the .pusher biasing springs are compressed, the dotted lines indicating the positionof the carriage as it moves initially outward "to strip the can guide and cartonear tucking members from the carton.

Referring to the drawings, ,the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a main frame A (Fig. l) of conventional, weldedsteel type. It comprisesa rectangular top frame portion 20 with supporting legs v21 secured thereto. vOn one end of the main frame A is mounted a carton magazine B, from the lower end of which a carton feed -mechanism C withdraws and erects successive cartons 22 and introduces them into a tab or car folding .guide-wayD. For the purposes 0f the present description the rear end of the machine will be considered that upon which the carton magazine B is mounted, and the forward end will be the other or discharge end ofthe machine.

As-theyjemerge fromthe guide-way D, the erected cartons are. aligned with a can inserting head E, wherein a pair of similar, but reversed carriages F, F insert .apredetermined charge of.chime end type cans 23 into the ends of the carton. The filled cartons then are carried by apair of takeoifbelts 26, 26 to a'suitable destination, such as a caser or'takeofi conveyor, not shown. The cans are fed in upright position to the can inserting head E by suitable means suchas the conventional gravity conveyor .chutes J, I.

Frame :and drive mechanism The main frame Ahas a pair of vertically spaced, rectangular magazine frame members 24 and 25 mounted horizontally, and in vertically spaced relation, on four upright support posts27. The postsU27 are mounted one on-each of four brackets 28 secured to the rectangular top main frame portion 20.

A p'lurality'of upright magazine front bars 29, 29 rear bars 30,30, and side bars ,31, 31 are mounted onbrac'kets "32 on the rectangular frame members24 and25. The

front, rear and side magazine bars 29, 3,0 and 31.extend upwardly within the central openings of the rectangular magazine'frame members 24 and 25 (Fig. 4). The upper ends of the magazine bars, 30 and 31 are flared out- Wardly as at '36 (Fig. l) .to facilitate the insertion of a stack ofthefolded carton blanks '22 therein.

Each carton blank '22 (Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive) is initia-lly'in the form ofa creased and flattened rectangular cardboard tube, "folded rearwardly from a forward portion 22a of the under side thereof which is adapted to fOrmthe-bottmn of the carton when erected. The tubular carton blank 22, in terms of the carton as erected, is creased in a conventional manner to have the bottom portion 22a, a rear wall portion 22b, top portion 22c and forward wall portion 22d. The carton bottom 22a and top 220 each have laterally projecting ears 22e formed integrally therewith. These ears 22c are shaped to fit into and engage the top and bottom chimes of cans inserted into the open ends of the carton. These ears act as pawls to retain the cans in the cartons in the manner shown in Patents 2,523,985 and 2,523,986, issued September 26, 1950, to Thomas W. Foster.

The lower ends of the front and rear upright magazine bars 29 and 30 are bent inwardly to form hooks 37 (Figs. 2, 9 and 11) for supporting the stack of carton blanks in the magazine. A rearwardly extending finger 38 is provided on the lower end of each magazine side bar 31, and these fingers 38 are adjusted to extend beneath the rearward pair of semicircular ears or tabs 22e of the lowermost carton blank 22 in the magazine B to perform the initial unfolding operation on the carton blank when it is withdrawn downwardly from the magazine in a manner to be explained later herein.

A pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending cam tracks 39, 39 are mounted on the main frame A beneath the magazine B for drawing the suction cup carton feeding device C rearwardly upon each carton seizing elevation thereof. A pair of abutment stop members 40, 40 are mounted one on each of the cam tracks 39, 39 for a purpose to be brought out later herein.

Two pairs of carton supporting rails 41, 41 and 42, 42 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) are provided on the main frame A, one pair of said rails extending lengthwise along each side thereof. Two lower conveyor chains 43 and 44 are mounted with the upper run of one of said chains disposed between each pair of the rails 41, 41 and 42, 42 respectively. The lower conveyor chains 43 and 44 are trained around conventional drive sprockets 47, 47 and 48, 48 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) mounted on shafts 50 and 49, respectively, journaled on the frame A.

Each of the lower conveyor chains 43 and 44 has a plurality of equally spaced, carton-propelling fingers 51 mounted thereon, the fingers 51, 51 on the two chains being positioned laterally opposite each other in pairs. The fingers 51 are so spaced lengthwise of the chains 43 and 44 as to be positioned immediately rearwardly of each carton blank 22 as it is removed and carried downward from the magazine B by the feed mechanism C in a manner to be described later herein.

A tab folding guide-way D is provided for folding the end tabs or ears 22 of the carton blanks 22 inwardly over the ends of the erected carton, and for guiding the erected cartons as they are conveyed lengthwise of the machine by the fingers 51. The guideway D comprises two pairs of parallel side guide bars 52, 52 secured to the inner faces of each of the upright side legs 53, 53 of a plurality of rectangular arched frame members 54 mounted to span the top of the main frame A. A pair of guideway top guide bars 55, 55 is secured beneath the tops of the arches 54 by brackets 57, the top guide bars 55, 55 being spaced upwardly from the bottom rails 41, 41 and 42, 42 by a distance substantially equal to the height of an erected carton 22.

The rearward end portions 58 of the upper side guide bars 52 of the guideway D are curved outwardly and upwardly, and the rearward end portions 59 of the lower side guide bars 58 are curved outwardly and downwardly in a well-known manner to engage the laterally extending upper and lower ears 22a, of each erected carton 22 as it enters the guideway D to fold the ears inwardly over the ends of the carton, and at right angles to the top and bottom walls of the carton upon which they are mounted.

An upper carton conveyor chain 60 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) is trained around three sprockets 61, 62 and 63, mounted, respectively, on three shafts 67, 68 and 69. The shafts 67, 68 and 69 are journaled in usual bearings 70 supported by the main frame A. A plurality of double, carton propelling fingers 71, 71 are mounted at spaced intervals along the upper chain 60, their spacing corresponding to the intervals separating longitudinally adjacent fingers 51 on the lower conveyor chains 43 and 44. The fingers 71 on the upper chain 60 are positioned slightly in advance of those fingers 51 on the lower chains 43 and 44 as the fingers travel forwardly along the guideway D. Thus, the cartons 22 will be propelled through the guideway D in slightly forwardly tilted condition, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8.

The frame structure of the can inserting head E (Figs. 1, 3, 4, l0 and 14) comprises a pair of inwardly channeled tracks 73 and 74 mounted to extend transversely of the main frame A at the terminal end of the guideway D and above the height of a carton 22 passing through the guideway. A pair of can guide bars 75, 75 are mounted along the rear side of the rear channeled track 74 on each side of the machine to guide incoming cans into alignment with, and in centered position between, the tracks 73 and 74 in a manner to be described later herein.

A plate 76 for slidably supporting the cartons 22 as they are successively brought into alignment with the can inserting head E is mounted with its upper surface coextensive with the upper surface of the carton supporting rails 41, 41 and 42, 42 at their terminal ends. The carton support plate 76 extends forwardly beyond the can inserting head E, and has a pair of longitudinally extending, belt-receiving, slotted openings 77, 77 therein.

A pair of carton take-off belts 26, 26 are trained around pulleys 78 and 79 to ride in these slots, with the upper runs of the belts slightly above the top surface of the carton support plate 76. These takeoff belts 26, 26 receive the filled cartons 22 as they are discharged from the can inserting head E and convey them toward a suitable destination such as a conveyor or caser, not shown. The takeoff belt supporting pulleys 78 and 79 (Fig. 3) are mounted, respectively, on shafts 80 and 81 journaled in bearings 82 in the main frame A.

The forward ends of the top guide bars 55, 55 of the guideway D (Fig. 14) extend through the can inserting head E to confine the upper ends of the cartons 22 against upward displacement when discharged from the guideway. A gravity drop pawl 85 is provided on each of the upper guide bars 55. The pawls 85 are so shaped as to be pushed upwardly to allow each carton to enter the can inserting head E, but to drop by gravity into latching position behind each carton as it is moved into canreceiving position in the can inserting head E. The pawls 85, 85 thus resist the tendency of the carton to spring back toward its original fiat folded condition after being released by the carton advancing fingers 51 and 71.

The various rotatively driven parts of the illustrated machine are driven by an electric motor G (Fig. l) which, by means of a pair of conventional V-belts 87 and 88, and a usual clutch mechanism 89, drives a conventional speed reducer H. Two sprockets 90 and 91 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) are provided on the takeoff shaft 92 of the speed reducer H. A drive chain 93 is trained around the first of these gears 90, and also around a sprocket 94 on a shaft 95 which is provided with bevel gears 97 and 98 secured one to each end thereof.

The bevel gears 97 and 98 are in mesh with bevel gears 99 and 100 mounted on axially upright disk supporting shafts 101 and 102, so that the shafts 101 and 102, and a pair of can feeding disks 103 and 104 mounted respectively thereon will be driven to rotate in opposite directions. A chain 105 for driving the takeoff belts 26, 26 is trained around a sprocket 107 on the bevel gear shaft 95 and also around a sprocket 108 on the forward takeoff belt support shaft 81.

A drive chain 110 is trained around the second sprocket 91 on the'speed reducer shaft 92, and also is trained around a sprocket 111 on the forward shaft 49 for the lower conveyor chains 43 and 44. An idler sprocket 112 is rhounted on the free end of an arm 113 which is pivoted on the main frame A 'to swing the idler sprocket 112 into desired tautening relation with the drive chain 110.

A second idler sprocket 114 is mounted on the free 'end of a second arm 115 pivoted co-axially with the first idler support arm 113. The second idler sprocket 114 bears against the inner side of a drive chain 117 which is trained around a sprocket 118 (Fig. 1) secured to the lower conveyor chain drive shaft 49 and also around a similar sprocket 119 secured to the forward upper shaft 68 for the upper conveyor chain '60. The drive chain 117 is trained rearwardly'around an idler sprocket 120 journaled on the lower forward shaft 67 of the upper conveyor chain 60 so that the drive chain 117 'will clear the rearmost channeled track 74 of the can inserting head E.

A carton erecting or breaking cam 121 (Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 11) is mounted beneath the magazine B on a shaft 122 journaled to extend transversely of the main frame A. The carton breaking cam 121 is driven to rotate through one complete revolution during the passage therepast of each pair of carton propelling fingers '1, '51 on the lower conveyor chains 43 and 44. The cam 121 is driven by a chain 123 trained around a sprocket 124 on the cam shaft 122 and also around a sprocket 125 on the rear shaft 50 for the lower conveyor chains 43 and 44. An idler sprocket 127 is journaled on a side of the main frame A to bear on the chain 123 and to maintain it in properly tautened condition.

Carton feed mechanism The carton feed mechanism C (Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 11) comprises an upwardly facing suction cup 130 mounted on the forward end of a tubular support member 131 which in turn is mounted for free axial s-li'dable movement within a vacuumized, cylindrical, head portion 132. The vacuum head portion 132 is mounted on the upper end of the piston rod 133 of a conventional pneumatic cylinder 134 mounted in upright position on the main frame A.

A pair of guide rods 135, 135 (Figs. 1, 2 and 9) are mounted on the closed and enlarged rear end of the suction cup support tube 131. These rods 135, 135 are slidably inserted in holes provided therefor on the sides of the vacuum head 132 to prevent rotative displacement of the tube 131.

A passage 137 (Fig. '11) communicates from the interior or concave side of thesuction cup "130 into the bore of the vacuum cup support tube13l1. The vacuum cup support tube 131 has suflicient clearanceat 138 from the interior of the vacuum head 132 to allow a free flow 'of'air between these two members. Usual hydraulic sealing or O-rings 139, 139 are mounted one of each end of the vacuum head 132 to seal olf the entrance of atmospheric air into the space 138 provided by this clearance.

A combined suction and vent port 140 is provided in the vacuum cup support tube 131 and is located to lie between the O-rings except when the suction cup support tube 131 is at its forward limit of movement as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. In the latter position, the port 140 is carried forward beyond the forward 0- ring 139 so as to shut off communication of the suction cup with the clearance space 138 and at the same time to vent the suction cup 130 'to the atmosphere. In'any other than its extreme forward position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11, however, the concave interior of the suction cup 130 is connected to the vacuumized interior of the vacuum head 132 through the port 140, the bore of the tube 131 and the passage 137.

A pair of laterally separated and axially aligned cam follower rollers 141, 141 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 9 and 11) are mounted on the rear end of the suction cup tube 131. These rollers are adapted to roll upwardly along the rear sides of thesloping cam tracks 39, '39 on each upward stroke of the piston rod 133 to draw the'suction cup support tube 131 rearwardly in the vacuum head 132.

The upper and lower ends, respectively, of the pneuma tic cylinder 134 are connected by compressed air lines 142, through a solenoid actuated valve 144, to a source of compressed air such as a conventional compressor, not shown. The solenoid valve 144 is of a conventional four way type, so that upon successive energizations of a conventional electrical control circuit (not shown) to actuate the solenoid valve 144, the compressed air supply will be diverted alternately from one of said compressed air lines 143 or 144, to the other.

For maintaining under constant vacuum the space 138 (Fig. 11) between the'suction cup support tube 131 and the vacuum head 132, an upright tube 145 is connected to the under side of the vacuum head 132 and is in open communication with its interior. The tube 145 is in telescopic sealed relation with a second tube 147 secured to the main frame A and is connected to a sourceof vacuum, such as a conventional vacuum pump, not shown.

The solenoid valve .144 (Fig. 1) is controlled by a switch 150 (Figs. 1 and 4) mounted alongside the right hand carton support rails 41, 41. The actuating arm 151 of this switch extends inwardly over the rails 41, 41 in the path of the upright carton conveying fingers 51 on the lower conveyor chain 43.

For actuating the switch 150 twice during the passage of each carton propelling finger 51 past the switch 150, an auxiliary switch actuating arm 152 is pivoted to overlie the rails 41, 41 in the path of the carton propelling fingers 51. The auxiliary arm 152 is connected to the switch arm 150 by a link 153. The switch arm 151 and the auxiliary arm 152 are so positioned along the rails '41, '41 as to cause the piston rod 133 to be elevated to seize a fresh carton blank 22 each time the preceding carton blank has been released from the suction cup at its forward :limit of movement, by exposure to the atmosphere of the port 140, and to cause the piston rod 133 to 'be again lowered in time to deposit a freshly withdrawn carton blank "22 ahead of a succeeding pair of carton propelling fingers 51, 51.

During the downward Withdrawal of each carton blank 22 fr'omthe magazine B, the rearwardly curved ear support fingers 38, 38 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) on the lower ends of the magazine side bars 31, 31, momentarily retain the rearward ears 22e which extend laterally from the rearward top portion 220 of the carton blank 22 against downward movement. The ear supporting fingers 38, 38, however, release the 'ears 22e before the carton bottom 22a reaches the 'rails 41, 41 and 42, 42. These opposed forces consisting of the downward pull by the suction cup on the bottom of the carton, and the opposing upward pull by the fingers 3'8, 38 on the top 220 thereof, thus cause an initial partial opening of the carton blank.

Also, during its downward withdrawal from the magazine .B, the .rear wall 22b of the cartonstrikes the upper end of a pair of carton breaking arms 157, 157. At this point in the cycle of operation, these arms 157, 1-57 are in their rearwardly swung position and are resting against the upper ends of the abutment stops 4t), 40 carried by the cam tracks 39, 39.

As each carton blank 22 is withdrawn from the :magazine B and is deposited in partially opened condition with its bottom 22a resting on the carton support rails -41, 41 and 42, 42 ahead of a pair of carton advancing fingers 51, '51 on the lower conveyor chains 43 and 44, it is carried forwardly 'by the lower carton advancing fingers 51, 51. This movement of the carton 22, with the suction cup connected thereto, draws the tube 131 slidably forward withinthe suction head 132. The tube 131 is of a length to retain the suction cup 139 under vacuum until the carton enters the guideway D. At this point the port emerges from the vacuum head 132 and vents the suction cup 'tothe atmosphere, thereby releasing the carton from the suction cup.

Carton erecting and guiding mechanism As the partially erected carton 22 enters the guideway D, the carton breaking arms 157, 157 (Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 11) are swung forwardly by the breaker cam 121 to engage the upper end of the carton 22 and tilt it forward ahead of the carton bottom 22a. This breaks the carton forwardly and reduces its tendency to spring back toward its original flat folded condition.

The carton breaking arms 157, 157 are mounted on shaft 159 pivoted in the main frame A, and normally are urged by coil spring 158 toward their rearwardly swung position resting against the upper ends of the abutments 40, 40. The carton breaking arms 157, 157 are actuated by a roller 160 journaled on the end of an arm 161 also secured to the shaft 159. The cam 121 is so shaped and positioned as to swing the carton breaking arms 157 forwardly as each carton is about to enter the guideway D.

The upper ends of the carton breaking arms 157, 157 are hooked forward slightly at 157a so as to exert a downwardly urging force on the carton as it enters the guideway, thereby resisting any tendency that the carton might have to ride upwardly at this point.

As each carton enters the guideway D, a pair of the propelling fingers 71, 71 on the upper conveyor chain 60 swing downwardly around the sprocket 69 and move into position behind the upper end of the carton, holding the carton in slightly forwardly tilted position as it is carried along through the guideway. As the carton enters the guideway D the upper ears 22s on the top of the carton are bent downwardly, and the lower ears 22a on the bottom of the carton are bent upwardly by the diverging entrance end portions 58 of the upper and lower guideway side bars 52, respectively.

As each carton is moved along through the initial portion of the guideway D, it carries forward with it the upper end of an arm 162 (Figs. 4 and 9) which is mounted on a shaft 163 pivoted in the main frame A centrally beneath the rails 41, 41 and 42, 42. A light coil spring 164 urges the upper end of the arm 162 rearwardly. The arm 162 is of a length to be released by each carton at the point where the upper propelling fingers 71, 71 have swung downwardly into position behind the next succeeding carton in the guideway. Upon its release by each carton, therefore, the light coil spring 164 swings the arm 162 rearwardly and, without crushing it, slaps the forward face of the next succeeding carton in the guideway and drives the carton back into contact with the upper and lower propelling fingers 51, 51 and 71, 71. The carton engaging upper portion of this arm 162 is bent to correspond with the slope of the front face of the carton when in contact with both its upper and lower propelling fingers at the moment of impact of the arm 162 with the carton.

As each carton arrives at the terminal end of the guideway D, it is pushed onto the carton support plate 76, as shown in Fig. 14, with its open ends properly aligned in the can inserting head E. In this position, the rear wall 22c of the carton is aligned with the forward sides of the can guide bars '75, '75 along the rear sides of the rear channeled tracks 74, 74 of the can inserting head E.

To assist in retaining the carton in this properly aligned position a pair of weighted fingers 84, 84 are pivotally mounted in the carton support plate 76 with their upper ends normally extending upwardly slightly above the plate 76. These fingers lightly restrain forward displacement of the lower end of the carton from a properly aligned position in the can inserting head E, but are of a weight to be easily pushed forwardly to clear the carton for ejection when it is pushed out of the can inserting head E by a succeeding empty carton.

Can inserting machanism The cans are fed in upright position toward each side of ning disks 103 and 104 by suitable feed means such as the conventional gravity feed chutes J, I (Fig. 1). The disks 103 and 104 are rotatively driven so that their forward sides move inwardly toward the center line of the machine. The disks 103 and 104, by frictional engagement with the cans thereon, tend to carry the leading cans in each line thereof rearwardly and then outwardly between two curved guide fences 169 and 170 which are generally concentric with each other and with their respective disks 103 and 104. The foremost cans are guided outwardly along the forward faces of the can guide bars 75, 75 (Figs. 10 and 14) on each side of the machine. Feeding of the cans along the guide bars 75, 75 by the disks is prevented, however, except when the can inserting carriages F, F are in their outward positions, as will be brought out later herein.

The length of the outward stroke of each of the can inserting carriages F, F limits the number of cans which can be moved into position against the guide bars 75, 75, and in alignment with the carton in the can inserting head E. In the illustrated machine the carriage stroke is of a length to accept a charge of two cans on each side of the can inserting head E.

The can inserting carriages F, F are similar to each other, but reversed. It will be necessary, therefore, to describe one only of the carriages. The carriage F (Figs. 10, 12 and 13) comprises two individually wheelsupported portions 172 and 173, relatively movable but releasably connected to each other so as to cooperate as a single unit through the initial portion of each inward and outward stroke thereof. The outer or main carriage portion 172 has a rigid horizontal actuating bar 174 with an upright bracket portion 175 on its outer end for connection to the outer end of the piston rod 177 of one of a pair of carriage actuating pneumatic cylinders 178, 178.

The inner end of each of the cylinders 178 is connected to a bracket 179 (Figs. 4, 10 and 14) fixedly mounted centrally between the tracks 73 and 74. The inner end of the main carriage actuating bar 174 has a main carriage block 180 fixedly secured to its inner end. The block 180 is provided with two pairs of ball bearing support wheels 181 and 182. The wheels 181 and 182 ride in the channeled tracks 73 and 74 of the can inserting head E. A can pusher support frame 183 is secured to extend downwardly from the main carriage block 180, and has an outwardly extending horizontally disposed U-shaped bracket 184 mounted on the outer side thereof.

A curved can pusher plate 185 is mounted on the inner ends of a pair of pusher plate support rods 187, 187 which are slidably inserted in horizontally aligned holes in the upright pusher support frame 183 and in the upright end portion 188 of the U-bracket 184. The pusher plate 185 is curved to conform substantially to the outer side of the outermost can 23 which it engages when pushing a charge of the cans into a carton 22.

Coil springs 189, 189 surround the pusher plate support rods 187, 187 and these springs are held in compression between the U-bracket 184 and a pair of collars 190, 190 secured one to each of the pusher plate support rods 187, 187. The springs 189, 189 are of a strength to be compressed as the cans reach their fully inserted position in the carton. The pusher plate 185 is thus maintained under the pressure of the springs 189, 189

against the outermost can of a charge thereof during the initial withdrawal of the carriage at the beginning of its next succeeding outward stroke. This strips the cans from two can guide and carton ear tucking members 198 and 199 to be described later herein, and allows the carton ears 22s to spring outwardly and engage the chimes of the outermost cans in the carton.

To restrain the cans during an inward stroke of the carriages F, F, a can arresting gate bar 191 is mounted on the pusher plate support frame 183 to extend along the forward side of the carriage laterally outwardly beaid 17,848

.0 yond the can pusher plate 185. This gate bar 191 holds back the cans on the spinning disks 103 and 104 except when the carriages F, 1* move outwardly on their outward or can-receiving strokes.

Returning now to a further description of the carriage F, the main carriage block 100 is provided with a central, longitudinally extending aperture of rectangular cross sectional shape, not shown, adapted s'lidably to receive a correspondingly shaped actuating bar 192 for the second or inner carriage portion 173.

The second carriage actuating bar 192 has two indentations 203 and 204 (Figs. and 13) in the side thereof adapted to be entered alternately by a spring pressed detent 205 of a conventional type mounted on the main carriage block 180. The detent 205 is adapted to enter the indentation 203 at the inner limits of movement of both carriage portions, and to enter the indentation 204 at the outer limits of movement of both carriage portions. A block portion 193 is mounted on the inner end of the second carriage actuating bar 192 with two pairs of supporting rollers 194 and 195 mounted thereon to ride in the channeled tracks 73 and 74.

Two similar upright bars 197, 197 are mounted one on each side of the second carriage block 193 to extend downwardly therefrom, these bars being spaced laterally apart by a distance suflicient to permit the cans 23 to pass freely therebetween, when being inserted in a carton 22. The tilting can guide and carton ear tucking members 198 and 199 are mounted on pivot pins 200 and 201 between the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the upright bars 197, 197. The pivot pins 200 and 201 are mounted for pivotal and limited vertical sliding movement in slotted openings 202, 202 in the bars 197, 197. These ear tucking members 198 and 199 are rounded on their inner ends toexert a cam-like centering action on each carton when inserted therein. This insures that each carton will be aligned properly to receive the incoming charge of cans.

The upper ear tucking member 198 comprises a strip of springy material such as sheet steel with the portion 198a thereof which is disposed outwardly beyond the pivot pin 200 substantially horizontal, and at a height sufiicient to clear the cans 23 on the disks 103 and 104. The outer end portion 19% of the strip 198 is bent downwardly in position to be engaged by the U-bracket 198 and swings the ear engaging inner portion 1980 thereriage portion 172 relative to the inner carriage portion 173. This action elevates the outer end of the member 198 and swings the ear engaging inner portion 1980 thereof downwardly into position to engage an ear 22c and tuck it into the carton when the carriage F is moved inwardly on a can-inserting stroke thereof. Upon an inward movement of the outer carriage portion 172, relative to its inner carriage portion 173 as shown in Fig. 10, however, the downwardly bent outer end portion 198k of the member 198 will be moved clear of the U- bracket 184, thereby allowing the greater weight of the elongated outer portion of the member 198 beyond the pivot pin 200 to swing the shorter and lighter ear engaging inner portion 1981: upwardly to press the inwardly tucked ear 22e closely against the carton top 220.

The slotted openings 202 in the bars 197., 197 allow the pivot pins 200 and 201 sufficient freedom for vertical adjustment to prevent their binding in case of reasonable variations in the carton material.

The lower ear tucking and can guide member 199 has a downwardly extending weighted arm 207 connected to its pivot pin 201 and disposed at an angle relatively to a plate portion 208 thereof, so that when the second carriage portion 173 is in its outward limit of movement, as shown in Fig. 13, the weighted arm 207 will hang clear, and, by gravity, will maintain the plate 208 with its rounded, ear-engaging inner end portion tilted upwardly.

In this position of the plate 208, it is adapted to engage the lower ear 222 of the carton at the beginning of a can inserting stroke of the carriage. As the second carriage portion 173 is moved inwardly and approaches its inward limit of movement, and prior to the release of the detent 205 from'the inner indentation 203 of the second carriage actuating bar 174, the lower end of the weighted arm 207 will strike the main frame A, tilting the lower'plate 208 to swing its ear engaging inner portion downwardly to force the lower carton ear 22e tightly against "the carton bottom 22a.

The outer limit of movement of the main carriage portion 172 is determined by the effective stroke of the piston rod 177, and is of a length to receive a full charge of cans inwardly of the "curved pusher plate 185 along the can guide bars '75, '75. The outward stroke of the second or inner carriage portion 1731's arrested by engagement of the rear, upright carriage bar 197 with an upright stopbar 209 secured to the rear can guide bars (Figs. 1 and '10). This outward stroke of the second carriage portion is of a length to withdraw the ear tucking members 198 and 199 from the carton.

The inward stroke of the main carriage portion 172 is arrested by impact of the main carriage block with the second carriage block 193, and this inward stroke of the carriage is of a length to insert a charge of cans aligned along the bars 75, 75 fully into the carton. The inward stroke of the second or inner carriage portion 173 is arrested by impact of the second carriage block 193 with the piston support block 179 (Fig. 10) the lower end of which extends between the inner ends of the channeled tracks 73 and 74, and is of a length to insert the ear tucking members 198 and 199 a desired distance into the carton.

Upon arrest of the inner carriage portion 173 during either an inward or outward stroke of the carriage F, the detent 205 will be cammed out of the indentation 203 or 204 in which it is riding, and will be carried slidably lengthwise of the actuating bar 192 until it drops into the other indentation 204 or 203 as the case may be.

The pneumatic cylinders 178, 178 (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 10) are actuated by admitting compressed air alternately into their outer and inner ends through compressed air lines 221 and 222. Admission of compressed air selectively into the air lines 221 and 222 is controlled by a four-way solenoid actuated air valve 225 (Fig. 1). The solenoid valve 225 is of a conventional type, and is controlled by the depression of a spring-biased, extensible pin 226 (Fig. 14) of an electric switch 227. The switch 227 is mounted beneath the carton support plate 76 on a bracket 227a. Since the details of such a valve and its actuating circuit are well known to those familiar with the art, they will not be illustrated in detail.

An arm 228 for actuating the switch 227 is pivotally mounted beneath the plate 76 and is urged, by a counterweight 228a on its rearward end, to swing upwardly through a slotted opening provided therefor in the plate 76. The forwardly and upwardly sloping upper edge 2281; of the arm 228 is located in the path of carton movement at the forward or terminal end of the guideway D and is adapted to operate the switch 227 upon each initial slight depression of the arm 228. The switch pin 226 has a stroke length su fii'c'ient to permit depression of the lever arm 228 to its dotted .line position shown in Fig. .14.

Two carton feeler fingers 229, mounted on the switch arm 228, are in transverse alignment with, and spaced laterally from, the terminal or forward end of the switch arm 228. In the event that a carton should become misaligned in the can inserting head E, one side or the other of the misaligned carton would overlie one of the pins 229, and would, therefore, prevent it, and the switch arm upon which it is mounted, from restoring the carriage actuating switch 227 to normal. This would prevent actuation of the cylinders 178, 178 except when the car- 1 1 ton in the inserting head E is properly aligned to receive the cans.

The switch 227 is spring biased normally to maintain the solenoid valve 225 in a position to admit air through the line 222 to the inner ends of the pneumatic cylinders 178, 178. This holds the piston rods 177, 177 normally extended, with both the main carriage portions 172, 172 and the second or inner carriage portions 173, 173 in their outward or can-receiving positions as shown in Fig. 13.

As each erected carton 22, with its ears 22e bent inwardly across the open ends of the carton, arrives at the terminal end of the guideway D and is advanced by the carton propelling fingers 51 and 71 onto the carton receiving plate 76 and along the sloping upper edge of the switch actuating arm 228, the carton thus depresses this arm, thereby closing the switch 227, and actuating the solenoid valve 225 to close off and vent the air lines 222 to the inner ends of the cylinders 178, 178, and to admit compressed air to the lines 221 communicating with the outer ends of the cylinders. This rapidly retracts the piston rods 177, 177 moving the carriages F, F inwardly to their inward limits of movement and driving the charge of cans into each open end of the carton as described previously herein.

The solenoid valve 225 is controlled by a conventional time delay relay, not shown, so as to dwell momentarily at its inward limit of movement before being moved outwardly again by a second actuation of the solenoid valve 225. The two-stroke can inserting and withdrawing cycle of the carriages F, F occurs while the next succeeding carton 22 in the guideway D is being propelled along the length of the switch actuating arm 228. The conveyor speed therefore is timed to the operating speed of the carriage actuating cylinders 178, 178 so that the cans will have been inserted, and the carriages will have moved outwardly on their outward strokes sufiiciently to withdraw the ear tucking members 198 and 199 from the filled carton by the time the next succeeding carton 22 engages the filled carton to eject it from the inserting head E.

The next succeeding carton thereupon pushes the filled carton forwardly out of the can inserting head E and onto the take-off belts 26, 26, which convey the filled carton outwardly away from the inserting head and to a desired destination. The next succeeding carton is advanced by the carton propelling fingers 51 and 71 until it is in can-receiving position in the can inserting head E, where the foregoing described can-inserting and cartonejecting steps are repeated.

The can inserting and carton ejecting cycle is repeated as each successive carton rides onto and depresses the switch actuating arm 228. Should, however, a carton, or a plurality of cartons, be missing from their proper positions in the guideway D, it is obvious that the switch 227 will not be actuated, and the empty carton therefore will remain in the can inserting head E, until a succeeding carton is brought into position to depress the switch actuating arm 228 to actuate the switch 227, and thereafter to push the filled carton ahead of it out of the can inserting head E.

Operation in describing the operation of the illustrated machine, it will be assumed that the carton magazine B has a supply of folded carton blanks 22 therein, as shown in Fig. I, that the lower telescoping tube 147 is connected to a suitable source of vacuum, and that the solenoid valves 144 and 225 are connected to a suitable supply of compressed air. 7

With the motor G energized, upon engaging the clutch 89 the various rotative parts of the mechanism will be driven in the directions indicated by the arrows in the various views of the drawings. This action drives the conveyor chains 43, 44 and 60 to move the carton propelling fingers 51, 51 and 71 thereof forwardly along the carton guideway D. a

As each carton propelling finger 51 on the righthand lower chain 43 engages the switch actuating arm 152 the solenoid actuating switch 150 will be actuated to actuate the solenoid valve 144 and introduce compressed air to the lower end of the vertical pneumatic cylinder 134. This drives the piston rod 133 upwardly, causing the rollers 141, 141 to ride upwardly along the cam tracks 39, 39 and draw the suction cup supporting tube 131 to its rearward limit of movement in the vacuum head 132. In its rearward position the suction cup communicates with the vacuumized interior of the vacuum head 132 through the passage 137, the bore of the suction cup support tube 131, and the port 140.

Upon reaching its upper limit of movement, the suction cup 130 engages and attaches itself to the forward or bottom fold 22a of the lowermost carton blank 22 in the carton magazine B. At this stage of operation, the carton propelling finger 51 strikes the auxiliary switch actuating arm 151 and, by means of the link 153, again actuates the switch to operate the solenoid valve 144 and reverse the flow of compressed air to the cylinder 134.

This retracts the piston rod 133 and lowers the suction cup 130 thereby drawing the lowermost carton blank 22 in the magazine B downwardly to a position where the carton bottom 22a rests on the rails 41, 41 and 42, 42. The switch actuating arms 151 and 152 are positioned relatively to the carton propelling fingers 51, 51 so as to deposit each carton ahead of a pair of carton propelling fingers 51, 51.

As each carton blank is drawn downwardly, the ears 22a, on the carton top 220 are retained upward mo mentarily by the ear engaging fingers 38, 38 on the lower ends of the magazine side bars 31, 31. This performs an initial opening action on the carton blank which receives an additional opening impulse on its downward withdrawal from the magazine by engagement of the rear wall 22b of the carton blank with the upper ends of the carton breaking arms 157, 157. The carton breaking arms 157, 157 during the downward withdrawal of each carton, are in their rearwardly swung position as shown in Figs. 9 and 11.

As each carton is propelled along toward the entrance end of the guideway D by the propelling fingers 51, 51, the suction cup support tube 131, being attached to the carton by the suction cup 130 thereon, is drawn slidably forward in the vacuum head 132. As the carton is about to enter the guideway D, the carton breaking arms 157, 157 are swung forwardly by the cam 121 to the position shown in Fig. 9, thereby moving the upper end of the carton 22 forwardly ahead of the lower end thereof.

As the carton 22 enters the guideway D, the outwardly curved rear ends of the guideway side bars 52, 52 bend the upper and lower ears 22c of the erected carton inwardly over the ends of the carton and at right angles to the ear supporting top and bottom carton walls. At this stage of carton travel, the carton propelling fingers 71, 71 on the upper conveyor chain 60 swing downwardly behind the carton 22 and together with the lower fingers 51, 51 propel it along through the guideway D in slightly forwardly tilted position.

If no carton is present in the guideway directly ahead of the carton being described, the spring-pressed arm 162 will bear gently against the forward face of the carton during its initial phase of travel along the guide way. However, if a carton is in position in the next conveyor space ahead in the guideway D, the spring pressed arm 162 will pass beneath the carton in the space ahead, and will be released to swing backwardly under the impulse of its spring 164. The arm 162 when thus released will slap the next succeeding carton gently back against its propelling fingers 51, 51 and 71, 71.

support tube 131 will have been drawn forwardly far enough to expose the port 145.? therein to the atmosphere, thereby venting the suction cup 130 and releasing the carton. After the released carton has passed beyond the suction cup 130, the pneumatic cylinder 134 will again be actuated by engagement of a carton propelling finger 51 with the switch actuating arm 151 to initiate the next carton feeding cycle.

Assuming that the carton being described is the only carton in the guideway D, it will be necessary either to withhold admission of cans to the disks 103 and 104 until a carton has arrived in can receiving position in the can inserting head E, or to erect manually and position a carton in the can inserting head E so that it will be available to receive the initial charge of cans which will be fed inwardly by the carriages F, F as the leading carton is propelled forwardly and arrives at the end of the guideway where it rides onto the sloping switch actuating arm 228, thereby depressing the arm 228 and closing the switch 227 to operate the carriage actuating solenoid valve 225. Otherwise there would be no carton in the can inserting head E to receive the first charge of cans projected by an initial operation of the cylinders 178, 178 as the first carton rides onto the sloping switch actuating arm 228.

During the actuation of the can inserting carriages F, F the carton travels the length of the switch actuating arm v228, and, passing beyond it, is retained in properly aligned position in the can inserting head E by the pawls S5, 85 on the upper guideway bars 55, 55, the gravity retained fingers 84, 84 in the carton support plate 76, and the upright forward end of the switch arm 223 and its associated pins 228a.

As described previously herein, the solenoid valve 225 normally is spring biased with its actuating arm 22% and the fingers 228a carried thereby in their upward position. In this position of the switch 227, the compressed air lines 221 to the inner ends of the cylinders 178, 178 are in communication through the solenoid valve 225 with the supply of compressed air, so as to maintain the piston rods 177, 177 in their outwardly extended condition as shown in Fig. 4. In this outward position of the carriages F, F, the can restraining gate bar 191 mounted on the forward side of each carriage is in its outward position, thereby 'to permit the leading cans 23 in each line thereof to move between their respective arcuate fences 169 and 170 and thence outwardly along the guide bars 75, 75 under the impulse of the spinning disks 103 and 104.

As the sloping, switch-actuating arm 228 is depressed by each empty carton 22 as it arrives at the end of the guideway D, it closes the switch 227 and operates the solenoid valve 225 to retract the piston rods 177, 177, thereby moving the carriages F, F inwardly on their can inserting strokes. The inward movement of the carriages drives into the carton the charges of cans (in this case two for each carriage) which have been thus aligned along the guide bars 75, 75 inwardly of the carriages.

During the initial inward movement of the main carriage portions 172, 172, the detent 205 rides in the outer indentation 204 in each of the second carriage portion actuated bars 192. This interengagement of the outer carriage portion 172 with the inner carriage portion 173 drives the second carriage portion 173 inwardly, thereby causing the ear tucking members 198 and 199, which are then in their inwardly tilted positions as shown in Fig. 13, to tuck the carton ears 22e into the carton.

As the second carriage 173 reaches its inward limit of movement, the flap tucking members 198 and 199 will have their inner end portions 198a and 208, respectively, swung outwardly as described previously herein to force the top and bottom carton ears 22e closely against their supporting bottom and top walls 22a and 14 22c, respectively, as shown in Fig. 12. The members .193 and 199 guide the incoming charges of cans into the carton.

It is preferable to have one of the carriages F lead the other slightly on their inward strokes, approximately one quarter inch having been found satisfactory, so that the charge of cans entering one end of the carton arrives in its fully inserted position in the carton slightly ahead of the other. This adjustment has been found to assist in centering the two charges of cans in the carton. As the carriages reach their inward limit of movement, a usual time delayrelay, not shown, automatically reverses the direction of air flow to the cylinders 178, 178 thereby moving the piston rods 177, 177 again outwardly to their outer limits of movement and carrying the carriages F, F with them.

During the initial portion of the outward movement of the carriages F, F, the curved can pusher plates L185, 185 are resiliently urged inwardly by their coil springs 189, 189. This maintains pressure on the outermost cans 23 in the carton 22 while the ear tucking members 198 and 199 are being withdrawn from the carton sufficiently to allow the carton ears 22e to swing inwardly and engage the chime ends of the outermost cans 23 in the carton and thus retain them against Withdrawal along with the members 193 and 199. By the time the ear tucking members 198 and 199-have been withdrawn from a filled carton, the following carton which depressed the sloping switch arm 228 to initiate the can inserting stroke of the carriages .F, P will .have traveled the full length of the switch arm 228. It will then engage the filled carton and push it out of the can inserting head Ea-nd onto the take-off belts 26, 26 for removal.

It will be noted that the present invention does not require the use of highly co-ordinated and intricate timing mechanism to insure proper and dependable operation. When a .pair of carton propelling fingers 51, 51 reach a proper position to receive a carton, they themselves cause the carton feeding mechanism to be operated. The other carton erecting and positioning mechanism of the machine is either synchronized with the conveyor or operated by the progress 'of the carton itself. Once a carton is in can receiving position in the can inserting head '13, the can inserting mechanism will not be operated except by the-approach of a carton which will thereafter be :positioned in the can inserting head E to receive the next succeeding charge of cans.

The carton handling, erecting and supporting mechanism is simple and positive in its operation, as is also the can handling and inserting mechanism. A machine embodying the present invention has .great capacity, its speed of operation being limited only by the ability of the cans to withstand, without denting, the forces of acceleration and deceleration to which they are subjected. For example, a machine built according "to the present disclosure has been operated at a speed of 320 cans or four can cartons per minute without difliculty, and with no damage to the cans. When operating at high speeds it may be desirable to provide a vent hole, not shown, centrally of each carton to avoid any tendency the cartons might have to open up due to the air compression between the oppositely approaching charges of cans in the cartons.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood however, that various changes and modifications for holding a stack of flat-folded tubular cartons, a can retaining ear on each carton, a conveyor mounted adjacent said magazine, a plurality of spaced carton propelling elements carried by said conveyor, means for moving said conveyor and said carton propelling elements along a predetermined path, means controlled by successive carton propelling elements to withdraw successive cartons from said magazine and to deposit said cartons on the conveyor ahead of said conveyor elements for movement thereby along said path, means mounted to erect each carton deposited on said conveyor, means for supporting each erected carton at a predetermined station along said path, a can inserter mounted for movement toward and away from said station, means normally retaining said can inserter in position away from said station, means for feeding a charge of cans to said inserter when moved away from said station, and means mounted for actuation by a succeeding carton at a predetermined point along said path ahead of said station to move said inserter toward said station to insert a charge of cans into a carton therein.

2. A carton feeder and filler according to claim 1 wherein each succeeding carton is moved into said station by said propelling fingers on said conveyor, thereby to abut the filled carton and move it out of the station.

3. In a carton feeder and filler, continuously moving conveyor means constructed and arranged to feed successive erected, open-end, chime-latch cartons to a stationary can inserting head, a stationary can inserting head mounted to receive successive erected cartons from said feed means, positioning means mounted to engage each carton as it is moved into said can inserting head to maintain the carton in predetermined erected position therein, means for aligning a charge of cans with a carton positioned in said can inserting head, and means mounted for actuation by each successive carton at a predetermined point prior to its positioning in said head to force an aligned charge of cans into a carton in the inserting head.

4. In a carton feeder and filler, a chime-lock carton positioning station, means for supporting an open end chime-lock carton in said station, a two-portion can inserting carriage mounted for reciprocation back and forth along a path directed into the open end of a carton in said station, means for actuating one of said carriage portions for reciprocating movement toward and away from a carton in said station throughout a predetermined two-stroke cycle, releasable drive means interconnecting the two carriage portions for simultaneous movement throughout a predetermined portion of each stroke of said one carriage portion, carton ear spreading means on said other carriage portion, stop means mounted to limit the stroke length of said other carriage portion, means for aligning a charge of chime-lock cans with said one carriage portion and with said station upon a movement of the carriage away from the station, said one carriage portion having an inward movement sufficient to insert the charge of cans in a carton in said station.

5. In a carton feeder and filler, a chime-lock carton positioning station, means for supporting an open end chime-lock carton having a chime latch ear thereon in said tation, a two-portion can inserting carriage mounted for reciprocation back and forth along a path directed into the open end of a carton in said station, means for actuating one of said carriage portions for reciprocating movement throughout a predetermined stroke length, releasable drive means interconnecting the two carriage portions for simultaneous movement throughout an initial portion of each stroke of said one carriage portion, a can pusher resiliently mounted on said one carriage portion, stop means mounted to limit the stroke length of said other carriage portion, a carton ear tucking element tiltably mounted on said other carriage portion, means for aligning a charge of cans with the pusher on said one carriage portion and with a carton in said station upon a movement of the carriage away from the station, said one carriage portion having an inward movement suflicient to insert the charge of cans in a carton in said tation, and said other carriage portion being moved by said one carriage portion to carry said ear tucking element inwardly to tuck the chime latch ear on a carton in the station into the carton in advance of the insertion of the charge of cans therein.

6. In a machine for filling tubular, chime latch cartons with cans, said cartons being open at both ends thereof, a can inserting head comprising a carton receiving station, means for positioning a carton at said station with its open end in predetermined position, a chime latch ear on each end of said carton being bent partially to overlie the open end of the carton, a pair of can inserting carriages mounted for movement back and forth along predetermined paths opposite said station, an ear tucking member carried by each carriage and positioned to engage the ear of a carton in said station upon a predetermined movement of the carriage, means for feeding a charge of cans between each carriage and the station upon a predetermined movement of the carriage, and means for driving the carriages back and forth in recurring cycles along said path alternately to receive a charge of cans between the carriage and the station and to insert the charge of cans in a carton in the station, the ear tucking means being moved to ear tucking position in advance of each charge of cans during can inserting movement of the carriages, said carriage drive means being arranged to move both of said carriages simultaneously but with one of said carriages moving to full can inserting position slightly in advance of the other carriage.

7. In a machine for filling open end chime-lock cartons with chime-end cans, means for supporting an erected carton at a predetermined can inserting station in said machine, means for feeding erected cartons successively to said station, a can inserter mounted for movement to ward and away from the open end of a carton in said station, drive means mounted upon actuation thereof to move said inserter toward and away from said station, means for feeding a charge of upright chime-lock cans into said inserter when the latter is moved away from said station, and means actuated by the movement of each succeeding carton toward said station and at a predetermined point ahead of said station to move said inserter toward said station to insert the charge of cans in the inserter into the carton in the station.

8. In a machine for filling open end chime-lock cartons with chime-end cans having a continuously moving carton conveyor for successively moving erected cartons therealong, a takeoff plate at the discharge end of said conveyor to receive cartons from the conveyor, carton engaging means mounted to support an erected carton on said takeoif plate, a pair of can inserting carriages mounted one beyond and in line with each end of a carton supported in erected position on the takeoff plate, a spring urged can pusher mounted in can engaging position on the inner end of each carriage, drive means mounted to drive the carriages simultaneously in a two stroke cycle toward and away from the erected carton on the plate, means for inserting a charge of cans between each can pusher and the carton upon each movement of the carriages away from said plate, an ear tucking element mounted on each carriage and movable relative thereto in the direction of carriage movement, means releasingly interengaging each ear tucking element with its carriage to have driven interconnection therewith at each end of the carriage stroke, and stop means mounted to limit the movement of the ear tucking element to advance the ear tucking elements into the carton ahead of the cans upon the initiation of the can inserting stroke and to withdraw said ear tucking elements from the carton while the resiliently urged pusher remains in can engaging position.

(References on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Fos el June 10, 1919 Morey Jan. 29, 1935 Thayer Aug. 11, 1936 Ardell July 14, 1942 18 Monroe May 7, 1946 Kimball Nov. 18, 1947 Bosquet Nov. 25, 1947 Currie July 22, 1952 Malhiot Jan. 20, 1953 Wahl July 28, 1953 

